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A Harris-Walz administration would be a nightmare for free speech
The Hill ^ | 10 Aug, 2024 | Jonathan Turley

Posted on 08/11/2024 4:37:50 AM PDT by MtnClimber

The selection of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) as the running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris has led to intense debates over crime policy, war claims, gender identity policies and other issues.

Some attacks have, in my view, been inaccurate or overwrought. However, the greatest danger from this ticket is neither speculative nor sensational. A Harris-Walz administration would be a nightmare for free speech.

For over three years, the Biden-Harris administration has sustained an unrelenting attack on the freedom of speech, from supporting a massive censorship system (described by a federal court as an “Orwellian Ministry of Truth“) to funding blacklisting operations targeting groups and individuals with opposing views.

President Biden made censorship a central part of his legacy, even accusing social media companies of “killing people” for failing to increase levels of censorship. Democrats in Congress pushed that agenda by demanding censorship on subjects ranging from climate change to gender identity — even to banking policy — in the name of combatting “disinformation.”

The administration also created offices like the Disinformation Governance Board before it was shut down after public outcry. But it quickly shifted this censorship work to other offices and groups.

As vice president, Harris has long supported these anti-free speech policies. The addition of Walz completes a perfect nightmare for free speech advocates. Walz has shown not only a shocking disregard for free speech values but an equally shocking lack of understanding of the First Amendment.

Walz went on MSNBC to support censoring disinformation and declared, “There’s no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech, and especially around our democracy.”

Ironically, this false claim, repeated by many Democrats, constitutes one of the most dangerous forms of disinformation. It is being used to convince a free people to give up some of their freedom with a “nothing to see here” pitch.

In prior testimony before Congress on the censorship system under the Biden administration, I was taken aback when the committee’s ranking Democrat, Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), declared, “I hope that [all members] recognize that there is speech that is not constitutionally protected,” and then referenced hate speech as an example.

That false claim has been echoed by others such as Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), who is a lawyer. “If you espouse hate,” he said, “…you’re not protected under the First Amendment.” Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean declared the identical position: “Hate speech is not protected by the First Amendment.” ....


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: bencardin; california; censorship; despotism; freespeech; jonathanturley; kamalaharris; maryland; minnesota; staceyplaskett; thehill; timwalz; virginislands

1 posted on 08/11/2024 4:37:50 AM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

I notice that the left is very unconcerned about spreading hate and disinformation when it targets President Trump.


2 posted on 08/11/2024 4:38:16 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: MtnClimber

3 posted on 08/11/2024 4:41:38 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page. More photos added.)
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To: MtnClimber

Stolen!


4 posted on 08/11/2024 4:43:39 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$
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To: All

She’s the Vice President now and functionally the acting president since Joe is out to lunch. She can try and eliminate taxes on tips right now


5 posted on 08/11/2024 4:47:20 AM PDT by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: MtnClimber

Basically, any opposition to the Democrat Party will be considered as dangerous hate speech and people will be persecuted. The First Amendment will only exist to protect speech that is approved by the government.


6 posted on 08/11/2024 4:51:00 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (I think women should get out of women's sports before they get hurt.)
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To: MtnClimber

Harris would be the end of America!

Trump promises death to needless bureaucracy and a brighter future for all.


7 posted on 08/11/2024 4:57:09 AM PDT by ABStrauss (I miss Rlush!)
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To: MtnClimber

Listen to the words of Harris & Walz - D evil. Individuals in America actually support these D isgusting D emons and the D eceptive political collective.


8 posted on 08/11/2024 5:05:04 AM PDT by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: MtnClimber

With this administration the rest of the US will experience the economic devastation the American South experienced during “Reconstruction.” I also fear brown on white crime will skyrocket (also like it did in the South after the Civil War which brought about the formation of a certain group in order to protect themselves and their families).


9 posted on 08/11/2024 5:11:42 AM PDT by MissEdie (Be the Light in Someone's Darkness.)
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To: MtnClimber

Absolutely, it will be the end of the 1st amendment.


10 posted on 08/11/2024 5:21:17 AM PDT by Openurmind (The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves to its children. ~ D. Bonhoeffer)
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To: ClearCase_guy

“Basically, any opposition to the Democrat Party will be considered as dangerous hate speech and people will be persecuted. The First Amendment will only exist to protect speech that is approved by the government.”

Pure and simple fact right there. But it is ok, it’s for the kids. No sacrifice is too great for the kids. The gullible will embrace the total end of the 1st with open arms for the kids.


11 posted on 08/11/2024 5:27:17 AM PDT by Openurmind (The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves to its children. ~ D. Bonhoeffer)
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To: MtnClimber

“The CCP has a vested interest in the continuous development of information warfare (IW) capabilities directed at domestic content. State-run news media outlets actively seek to influence Western perceptions, while the CCP contends that Western media outlets not only exhibit bias but also participate in a coordinated international effort to tarnish China’s reputation.[12] If a free and open Internet is increasingly recognized as a human right, then the Chinese Internet, intentionally designed to suppress its people, unequivocally violates this principle. Far from serving as a platform for the free exchange of ideas, China’s Internet reinforces social control, fosters a climate of fear, and suppresses dissent. >While China’s initial justification for imposing censorship was rooted in concerns over public morality, particularly regarding issues like pornography and gambling<, in recent times, the primary rationale has shifted toward combating terrorism.”

https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/3587653/chinas-authoritarian-grip-how-china-reinforces-social-control-cultivates-a-clim/


12 posted on 08/11/2024 5:34:18 AM PDT by Openurmind (The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world it leaves to its children. ~ D. Bonhoeffer)
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To: MtnClimber

The Kam & Tim gov’t would be a nightmare for the Constitution and the Bill Of Rights. They would disappear over night


13 posted on 08/11/2024 6:08:22 AM PDT by chopperk (are)
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To: MtnClimber

A Harris-Walz administration would be a nightmare for anything just a format for of how good Marxism is trust us it’s worked for us from the first day of our party.


14 posted on 08/11/2024 6:22:57 AM PDT by Vaduz
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

15 posted on 08/11/2024 6:52:15 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: MtnClimber

Harris/Walz …Make America East Germany


16 posted on 08/11/2024 7:38:24 AM PDT by The Great RJ
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